Transformer, method for manufacturing same and roller bearing with integrated transformer

Abstract

A transformer ( 01 ) for transmitting data and/or energy, including a concentric coil pair with a fixed first coil ( 04 ) and a second coil ( 05 ) which is mounted so as to be rotatable with respect to the first coil ( 04 ), wherein the coils ( 04, 05 ) are arranged with respect to one another in such a way that they are magnetically coupled. The transformer ( 01 )—is defined, in particular, by the fact that the first and the second coils ( 04, 05 ) are embodied as printed circuits on one multi-layered circuit board ( 02, 03 ) each, wherein in each case a magnetically conductive layer ( 07 ) is attached to the outer layers of the multi-layered circuit boards ( 02, 03 ), wherein the magnetically conductive layers ( 07 ) are selectively connected to one another by recesses which are formed in the circuit boards ( 02, 03 ) and filled with magnetically conductive material.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A transformer for transmitting data or energy, comprising:
 a concentric coil pair having a first coil and a second coil, the first and second coils being situated with respect to each other so as to be magnetically coupled, the first and the second coils each being designed as printed circuits on a multilayer circuit board, a magnetically conductive layer being attached to outer layers of the multilayer circuit boards in each case, the magnetically conductive layers being connected to each other with the aid of recesses in the circuit boards and filled with magnetically conductive material. 
 
     
     
       2. The transformer as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second coil is rotatably mounted with respect to the first coil. 
     
     
       3. The transformer as recited in  claim 1  wherein an annular air gap exists between the magnetically conductive layers of the first and second circuit boards, the magnetically conductive layers being diametrically opposed, and the magnetic coupling of the first and second coils taking place with the aid of the annular air gap. 
     
     
       4. The transformer as recited in  claim 1  wherein the magnetically conductive layers are made from ferromagnetic powder-filled plastic sheets or metal sheets. 
     
     
       5. The transformer as recited in  claim 1  wherein the magnetically conductive material filling the recesses is a ferromagnetic power-containing paste or rivets, pins or sleeves made from magnetically conductive material. 
     
     
       6. The transformer as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first and second coils are connected to an activation and evaluation unit. 
     
     
       7. A method for manufacturing a transformer as recited in  claim 1  comprising:
 manufacturing a first and a second multilayer circuit board, each having a coil designed as a printed circuit; 
 attaching the magnetically conductive layer to outer layers of the first and second multilayer circuit boards, in each case; 
 introducing the recesses into the first and second multilayer circuit boards; 
 introducing the magnetically conductive material into the recesses; 
 attaching the first circuit board to a first component and the second circuit board to a second component, the coils being situated with respect to each other so as to be concentric to each other and magnetically coupled. 
 
     
     
       8. The method as recited in  claim 7  wherein the manufacturing of the first and second multilayer circuit boards and the attaching of the magnetically conductive layers to the outer layers of the multilayer circuit boards take place in one step. 
     
     
       9. The method as recited in  claim 7  wherein the first and second multilayer circuit boards are manufactured as panels having a plurality of individual circuit boards situated side by side, the magnetically conductive layers being mounted on the panel over an entire surface. 
     
     
       10. A rolling bearing comprising:
 a bearing inner ring; 
 a bearing outer ring; 
 rolling bodies situated between the bearing inner and outer rings; and 
 a transformer for transmitting data or energy, including a concentric coil pair of a first and second coil, the first coil being connected to one of the bearing inner and outer rings, and the second coil being connected to the other of the bearing inner and outer rings, the first and second coils being situated with respect to each other so as to be magnetically coupled, the first and second coils each designed as printed circuits on a multilayer circuit board, a magnetically conductive layer being attached to outer layers of the multilayer circuit boards in each case, the magnetically conductive layers being connected to each other with the aid of recesses in the circuit boards and filled with magnetically conductive material, an annular air gap existing between the magnetically conductive layers of the circuit boards, the magnetically conductive layers being diametrically opposed. 
 
     
     
       11. The rolling bearing as recited in  claim 10  wherein the circuit boards are attached to the bearing inner and outer rings with the aid of at least one holding element in each case, whereby the holding element engages with a circumferential groove of the respective bearing inner or outer ring.